Personal Childhood Web

 My Mom

My mother was a stay at home mom of three girls of which I am the oldest.  My mom made sure I had my school work completed and that I was cared for at home.  She would take time to play games one on one with me which would make me feel special.  My mother also taught me how to do things around the house because I enjoyed helping her. Today I have a good relationship with my mom.  I know that I can go to her when I need some advice or just someone to listen.

 

My Father

My father worked as a restaurant manager from the time that I was a baby until I was 18 years old.  It was not a job that he enjoyed, but rather one that paid the bills and made it where my mother was able to stay home with my sisters and I.  My dad would take the time to play with me and spend time with me doing things I enjoyed.  My dad never went past high school, but he valued education and that was something that he instilled in me.  My dad is a part of my life today, but it is thought the roles are reversed somewhat; he has some medical issues and I spend a good bit of time trying to make sure he knows that he is loved and cared for just as he did in his own way when I was a child.

My Aunt Connie

My Aunt Connie was the only extended family that was a part of my life as a child; all of my other extended family lived in other states so seeing them was rare.  She would come to visit on the weekends and take us on trips to the zoo, the mountains, the museums and Six Flags.  During the summer, she would come get me and I would spend weeks with her at her house; I liked this because I got to do something without the rest of the family and I did not have the responsibilities that I had at home when I was with her.  She always encouraged me to do my best in school, but never put me down when I did not do as well as I could have.  My aunt Connie treats me like I am her own child to this day.  She continues to encourage me to achieve my goals. 

 My Sisters (Becky and Holly)

My sisters are both younger than me so it was expected that I set a good example for them.  Often times I would be motherly to them because I mimicked what my mother did with them.  They would emulate things that I would do because they did look up to me.  The relationship that I had with my sisters growing up made me want to do the right thing because I knew that they were being influenced by the choices that I made.  To this day I find myself making a conscious effort to set a good example in my daily life and in my continued educational pursuits because I still feel as though they look to me as an example.

My Kindergarten Teacher (Blanche Wilkes)

My kindergarten teacher was one of the most influential people in my life.  In some ways I think that she is the first person to show me that you can be a female, have a family and have a career that you enjoy.  Mrs. Wilkes would let me come to the classroom early and help put the chairs down to help her which made me feel important.  I would get to do things throughout the day that I enjoyed so rather than realizing I was at school to learn, I thought I was at a great place away from my family where I could do things without my sisters.  She is the first person that I was not related to that told me that she loved me and that she believed in me; for a young child, that was all I needed!  Mrs. Wilkes retired this year and I went to her retirement party. She also attended my wedding seven years ago and my graduation in May.  I think of her as my family.